A new business administrator was appointed at the March 14 East Penn School District Board of Directors meeting,

Robert E. Saul is currently the business manager and board secretary in the Montoursville Area School District in Lycoming County. He is currently on the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials. He earned his Master of Business Administration degree from West Chester University and is certified by the Association of School Business Officials International and the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials. Saul will begin working in the district May 2 four days a week and will move to five days a week July 1.

“This has been a long and exhausting search, but we are very confident we’ve found the right person for the job,” Superintendent Dr. J. Michael Schilder said. “When researching his references, ‘creativity, work ethic, integrity and expertise’ were all words that came up in every single conversation.”

Lehigh Carbon Community College Trustee Ann Thompson also attended the meeting to talk about the 90 degree programs offered at the school. Thompson said a student can get a quality education which is affordable and accessible at LCCC.

The board voted to adopt the Resolution for General Obligation Notes, Series of 2016, for the purpose of restructuring the Series of 2011 Bonds and paying the costs of issuing the 2016 Notes.

Scott Shearer, managing director, Public Financial Management, Inc., said requests for proposals were sent March 10 with First Niagara showing the lowest interest rate. The net cost to the district to restructure is $24,701 which includes all fees spread out over five years.

Director Francee Fuller was in favor of the restructuring. “This is a peculiar time with no state budget. This is a way to help smooth out our finances and payments and a way of helping us get through this very difficult time.”

Vice President Ken Bacher said “this doesn’t remove the need to tighten our purse strings.”

Board President Alan Earnshaw said “to avoid taking $3.6 million out of taxpayer dollars, the cost of $25,000 is certainly a better deal.”

The district calendar was approved for the 2016-2017 school year. Schilder said there are two inclement weather make-up days built into the calendar. An additional seven days are noted on the calendar to be used if needed.

Schilder said he coordinates the calendar with the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate unit, Lehigh Career and Technical Institute and other superintendents because of busing and teacher contracts. There was much discussion on the number of inclement weather days in the calendar with Director Ziad Munson suggesting three to five days be included. Munson said the district has averaged five days a year over the last 10 years.

“It doesn’t make sense to me to not include them in the calendar. People do make plans. I am suggesting by having three inclement weather days, we do not put ourselves in conflict with other entities. I would encourage my colleagues to vote against the calendar,” Munson said.

In personnel news, a voluntary transfer of principal assignment was approved for Cheryl Scalzo who will move from Jefferson Elementary School to Alburtis Elementary School effective July 1.

Salary adjustments were approved for the following assistant principals: Todd Breiner, Joshua Miller, Erin Murphy and Tabitha Rodriquez. Schilder said this one-time market adjustment was needed.

The board approved the 2016-2017 Operating and Capital Budgets for Lehigh Carbon Community College, the 2016-2017 General Fund and Academic Center School Budget for Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, the 2016-2017 General Operating Budget for Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit and the 2016-2017 Special Education Services Agreement with Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21. The board also approved the Administrative Compensation Plan Agreement with the Act 93 members effective July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018.

Resident John Donches asked to address the board at the beginning of the meeting. “I recommend you don’t give raises to Act 93 people,” Donches said.

Also addressing the board was Emmaus High School student Jeremy Sanville who presented a petition to the board with 600 signatures asking to have Care Net Lehigh Valley removed from the high school.

In his petition, Sanville said “Care Net is letting their religious beliefs impact what they teach (abstinence only). This is not an effective way to inform students about sex. Students need multiple solutions and if I get enough support I can make this happen. I wish to improve the quality of information especially regarding birth control and I also wish to get a better organization such as Planned Parenthood to come in and teach students.”

Care Net has provided a sexual education class for students in grades eight, nine and 10 for the last three years which is free to the district. Two sessions a year are held during health class.

The Care Net website shows the vision of the organization as follows: “Care Net envisions a culture where women and men faced with pregnancy decisions are transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ and empowered to choose life for their unborn children and abundant life for their families.” The mission is “Acknowledging that every human life begins at conception and is worthy of protection, Care Net offers compassion, hope, and help to anyone considering abortion by presenting them with realistic alternatives and Christ-centered support through our life-affirming network of pregnancy centers, organizations and individuals.”

Schilder responded after Sanville had left saying he appreciated the petition presented.

“We do use Care Net for our family life program,” Schilder said. “I have looked at their presentation and you would not know their religious affiliation by looking at the presentations. Their [Care Net] curriculum aligns well with our standards and state standards.” In light of the petition, Schilder said, “We will look at it again.”

A number of board policies were reviewed in the district’s effort to update all policies.

The next school board meeting will be held 7:30 p.m. April 11 in the board room, 800 Pine St., Emmaus.